On February 8, Suffield Police and management staff of the First National Bank of Suffield, at the invitation of Suffield Senior Center Director Paula Pascoe, spoke to approximately 30 seniors about crime prevention as it relates to scams and frauds.
The “Lunch and Learn” seminar shared the 12 most common “classic” frauds occurring statewide as well as several recent trends in scams including the “Can You Hear Me Now” scam. Donna Chaisson, branch office manager of the Suffield office of First National Bank, and Abbie Urbon, branch office manager of the East Granby office of First National Bank shared their experiences with customers who had been victims of fraud including the “Publisher’s Clearinghouse” scam in which people are informed they won prize money but they need to send money to pay for the taxes of this award, which is of course, fraudulent.
Police Chief Richard Brown spoke encouraging senior residents to contact the police department anytime they suspect a telephone call or other type of approach (i.e. driveway sealers) offers residents the proverbial “good deal” that is too good to be true.
Suffield Police engaged in conversation with attendees, addressing questions as well as hearing stories of their personal victimization including telephone calls in which the caller pretends to be from the IRS or the FBI, telephone calls telling residents that they won a foreign country lottery, and the scam in which an alleged family member calls victims claiming he/she is in jail in a foreign country and needs money to be wired to them to get free.
The Suffield Police Department encourages any resident who has concerns that he or she may be the victim of a scam or fraud to contact Suffield PD at 860-668-3870. Any civic organization or group wishing to schedule a police presentation about scams or any other public safety and crime prevention topic is asked to contact Suffield Police at 860-668-3870 ext. 3380. https://www.facebook.com/SuffieldPolice